After dental implants: what is normal and what needs a call to the clinic

The first day

The local anaesthetic wears off within hours, and mild to moderate discomfort begins, controlled with the prescribed painkiller. Slight bleeding that tints the saliva is normal; press gently with gauze, do not spit forcefully and do not rinse on this day.

Cold compresses on the cheek from outside, at intervals, reduce swelling. Avoid hot food and physical exertion, and do not touch the surgical site with your tongue or fingers.

The following days

Swelling usually peaks on the second or third day and then starts to subside; some people get slight bruising of the cheek, which is not a concern.

Food: soft and lukewarm in the first days, chewing on the other side. Hygiene: brush as usual while avoiding the surgical site, and use the prescribed mouthwash gently. Stitches: removed or dissolving depending on the type, and the dentist sets the date.

• Call us at once if: bleeding does not stop with pressure.
• Pain increases after the third day instead of easing.
• Swelling spreads to the neck or swallowing becomes difficult.
• You develop a fever.
• Numbness of the lip or chin persists after the anaesthetic has worn off.
• The implant or its cover moves.

The fusion stage

Once the surgical symptoms settle, a silent stage begins: the bone fuses with the surface of the implant. You feel nothing during it, but it is the most important stage. The implant may be covered under the gum or visible with a small cap, and in some cases a temporary restoration is fitted.

The length of this stage depends on bone density, whether bone was built and the position of the implant, and the dentist sets it in your plan; its end is confirmed with a stability check and a scan when needed, before the crown is fitted.

Fitting the crown and back to normal life

After fusion, digital impressions are taken and the abutment and crown are made in the laboratory, then fitted and the bite adjusted. In the first days after fitting you get used to the new feeling, and a small bite adjustment may be needed.

From then on treat the implant like your own teeth: brush, floss and interdental cleaner, and a regular visit to clean it and check the gum around it. Inflammation of the tissues around an implant starts silently, and the regular check is what catches it early.

Tips that protect the implant

• Do not smoke during healing.
• Do not bite hard objects on the new implant.
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
• Keep your follow-up appointments even when you feel nothing.
• Tell us about any change in sensation or in your bite.